Steve Kerr didn’t anticipate Julius Randle would have such an impact following his struggles with the Warriors.
Randle had a tough couple of postseasons with the Knicks, plagued by injuries. When he was traded to the Timberwolves this offseason, many considered it a win for the Knicks, especially with Karl Anthony Towns joining their roster.
Initially, Kerr might have agreed with that assessment after facing Minnesota early in the season, but not after Randle stepped up this postseason. He notably led Minnesota to the Western Conference finals for the second consecutive year, showcasing impressive skills.
Following the Timberwolves’ elimination of the Warriors in five games, Randle scored 29 points in a standout performance during a 121-110 victory. Kerr had nothing but praise for him after the game, saying, “Julius Randle was incredible. What a series. He’s always been a solid player in this league, but I think he’s really elevated his game. Early in the season, they struggled with spacing, especially without Towns.”
Randle’s playoff performance certainly contrasted with his past two years as a Knick, where he shot 29.8% and 37.1% in the playoffs of 2021 and 2023.
Before this postseason, critics had scrutinized not just his on-court performance but also his body language and attitude. It was tough to watch at times.
This postseason, Randle has demonstrated his strength inside, shooting an impressive 50.9% from the field in 10 playoff games, averaging 23.9 points per game—second on the team.
His standout play has been crucial for Minnesota’s playoff success, complementing Anthony Edwards well.
It seems like Randle’s struggles from his Knicks days are behind him, but the challenge now is to avoid falling back into those patterns with Minnesota.
The Timberwolves dispatched the Lakers in five games in the first round, while the Warriors struggled without traditional centers, especially with Steph Curry missing the last four games.
Instead, Golden State typically employed 6-foot-6 forward Draymond Green as their lone center.
If Oklahoma City advances in their series leading 3-2 into Game 6 on Thursday, they’ll likely have numerous defenders and big players ready to challenge Randle.
Randle will face off against seasoned players like Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, among others who could pose significant defensive threats.
